John Alexander Williams

John Alexander Williams, 86, passed away peacefully on April 30 with his family by his side. He was born on December 4, 1938 in Galveston, TX to John Alexander and Mary Agnes (Marsh) Williams. Dr. Williams was a 1957 graduate of White Sulphur Springs High School in White Sulphur Springs, WV, earned his B.A. from Tulane University in 1961, and his PhD in history from Yale University in 1966, where he studied under noted historian C. Vann Woodward.

Dr. Williams had a long career in academia, having taught at Yale, Notre Dame, University of Illinois-Chicago, West Virginia University and Appalachian State University, and held government service positions with the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Jubilee Commission. A gifted writer, Dr. Williams was also the author of six books on varied topics, including the economic and social history of Appalachia, Christopher Columbus and Italian-American folklife, as well as numerous scholarly articles.

A classical music and opera enthusiast, following his retirement John moved to the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington, DC in order be near the Library of Congress and the Kennedy Center, where he held season tickets to both the National Symphony and opera. In DC he also rekindled his childhood love affair with the Washington Senators, re-born as the Washington Nationals, and shared season tickets with a group of fellow fanatics. A man of varied interests, John had opinions on many topics and irreverent jokes for even more. He also loved spending time with his family, particularly his grandchildren, whom he took on Grandad-chaperoned cross-country trips and baseball games in various cities, among other adventures.

John is survived by his longtime love, Norma Colyer; his brother, C. Michael Williams; his sons Sander, Jared (Jessica) and Matthew (Hilary); Norma’s children Claudia (Mark) and Wallace (Sarah); 7 grandchildren - Greg (Amanda), Owen (Ikshita), Graham, Cole, Gavin, Freya, Emma, and 2 great grandchildren, Alexander and Cameron.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on May 17 at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Washington, DC, followed by committal at Holy Rood Cemetery in Georgetown.